The Provincial Government announced new members to the Bay St. George Task Force�s Community Development Committee (CDC). The announcement was made today by the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, and chair of the Bay St. George Task Force, along with the Honouable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George�s - Stephenville East, and Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port.

"The past year and a half has seen much work done in establishing a firm foundation for the Bay St. George area. The Community Development Committee was instrumental in this process, working closely with government and community partners to ensure every opportunity was explored to the fullest extent possible," said Minister Taylor. "I am pleased with the range of expertise, leadership and commitment demonstrated by community leaders throughout this rebuilding process. Government would like to thank the members of the committee for their time, effort and valuable contribution to this process over the past 14 months and welcomes new members to the CDC."

The renewed Community Development Committee will ensure the valuable work initiated by the original committee continues. The renewed committee has five members and they are: Bill Abbott, Rosa Dollard, Tina Moores, Tom O�Brien and Elaine Wells, and will continue to be assisted by Cyril Organ. The committee members met May 18 to discuss current initiatives as well as opportunities for the future.

Minister Taylor said the Provincial Government and community leaders are building on the foundation established by the Bay St. George Task Force and are continuing their efforts to strengthen and diversify the region�s economy. He said sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and knowledge-based services continue to be advanced.

"Government will keep working to strengthen the economy of the region. We will continue to work with the Community Development Committee and provide support for priority initiatives as they are identified by the committee," said Minister Burke.

"I�ve seen firsthand the hard work that has been put into strengthening the economy of the Bay St. George region over the past couple of years," said MHA Cornect. "Individuals, communities, organizations, businesses and government have all worked together in the area�s recovery after the mill closure. I look forward to working with the community, side by side, as we continue the renewal process."

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Media contact:
Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
LynnEvans@gov.nl.ca

2007 05 23                                                      9:30 a.m.